College Sports Blog

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been put in a position to be the first freshman to win a Heisman Trophy after putting up record setting numbers. But without the help of his talented offensive linemen Manziel would not be in the same position.

That is the reason A&M offensive lineman Luke Joeckel has been named a finalist for the Outland Trophy while Manziel has been named a finalist for the Maxwell Award.

The Outland Trophy is given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman and Joeckel has been a fitting finalist since the season began. The future top NFL draft pick has been the anchor of the A&M offense protecting Manziel from oncoming pressure.

Manziel became the first SEC player, first freshman and fifth NCAA FBS player to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, and did it in just 11 games, which is the fastest in history.

Manziel has already broken the school record for total offense in a season with 4,161 yards and needs only 167 yards to break 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton’s SEC record for total offense. He is Texas A&M’s only 1,000-yard QB rusher, and his 1,114 yards rank second in SEC history only to Newton’s 1,473 among quarterbacks.

Both players will be honored as the awards are presented at the College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6. The show will air on ESPN.